JEFF'S PUNCH & DUTY SHOW

Cheltenham hero may be a Kidder but he’s no joke

- RYAN McELLIGOTT

THE fast-improving Jeff Kidder shocked a top-class field in the Grade 1 Ballymore Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

Noel Meade’s Cheltenham hero lined up off a Grade 2 win at Fairyhouse over Easter but even still he was allowed to go off at 22/1.

Pitted against Jeff Kidder were the likes of Quilixios and Zanahiyr along with the highly promising Haut En Colors.

However, Jeff Kidder once again defied the odds under Sean Flanagan who has enjoyed the best season of his career.

In a fascinating race, Jeff Kidder started to make good progress on the outer rounding the last bend. He sustained his effort to lead at the last and then kept on well to score by three parts of a length from the unlucky-looking Zanahiyr.